Lister



June 29, 1943.

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2 N .l N o a .INVENTOR- WALTER H. IL

Juzxe 29, 1943. w. H. 'SILVER 2,323,278

LISTER Filed Jan. 29; 1940 s sheets-sheet s FIG. 3

Patented June 29, 1943 lUNITED STATES-PATENT OFFICE* Walter H. Silver,Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a corporationof Illinois Application January` 29, 1940, Serial No. 316,089

3 Claims,

This invention relates generally to agricultural machines and is moreparticularly concerned with agricultural machines embodying a tractor.'-and' an implement operatively connected therewith.

The object and general nature of' the presentil invention is theprovision of an agricultural machine in which new and improved quickdetach-V able driving connections are provided for opera-if tivelyconnecting a detachable operating unit or u-nits with a driving part onthe tractor. iAnother important feature of the present invene" tion isthe provision of a planting implement having covering shovels and meansfor raising the= latter whenever -necessary to clear the same ofaccumulated trash. Still further, another' important feature of thepresent'inventionA is the provision of a planting machine havingsidedelivery seed cans whereby the operator readily and Withoutinconvenience may Watch the delivery of Seed during Operation. This isparticularly portant in tractor-mounted or propelled imp1e ments.

More specifically, it is a feature cf the present invention to providean agricultural machine in which the implement frame may be shiftedyrelative to the supporti-ng or propelling tractor` .and

in which the driving connections by which the operating unit or units ofthe implement are driven from the tractor readily accommodatel suchrelative movement, Particularly, it is a feature of the presentinvention to provide a sprocket and chain driving means from one oftherear axles of the tractor to the centralv portion of the implement.It is also a .feature of this inventionA to provide a driving connectionof the sprocket present invention resides in the provision of an cagricultural machine of the bedder type, with' readily detachableplanting units and also readily-` detachable connections for driving theplanting units from the tractor, and it is -still further a:

feature of the invention to provide such driving being operativelyassociated with implement lift-l connections with a disconnect clutchwhich, while f ing means on the tractor, is automatically disconnectedtherefrom when the driving connections are detachable, which may bereadily accomplished, as aforesaid.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of animplement of the tractor-mounted type in which a readily detachable partserves to automatically establish a driving connection by the act ofconnecting said part to the tractor.

An additional feature of the present invention is the provision ofmanually controlled means for raising the covering shovels or othercovering means of a planting implement, such as a lister. In somefarming sections where stalks and the like are turned `under in the falland the planting of a new crop completed in the spring, the coveringmeans of the planting `machine sometimes tend to drag these stalks outfof the ground and bring them to the surface,'and sometimes the stalksand the like clog the shovels and prevent them from operating properly.It is a feature, therefore, of the present invention to provide meansaccessible to the operator and controlled by him for raising the shovelsor other covering means whenever'necessary to clear the same ofaccumulated stalks, trash and the like. Heretofore, so far as applicantis aware, it has been necessary for the operator under such conditionsto dismount and clear out the accumulated trash by hand. The provisionof means permitting the operator to readily raise the covering means istherefore an important feature of the present invention. Still further,in this connection it is a feature of the present invention to provideshovel raising means which is readily'detachable from the implement,along with the planting umts and the planter driving connections.

These and other .objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled inthe art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred structural embodiment,taken inv-conjunction with the accompany'ing drawings illustrating thesame.

In the drawingst' Figure 1 is a plan view of an agriculturalmachine'ooncepted accordi-ng theyprinci'ples of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view-of the machine shown in Figure 1-; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken generally along theline 4-4 o`f Figure l.

" Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to Figures 1 to 3,the agricultural machine in which the principles of the presentinvention have been incorporated comprises supporting means in the formof a tractor I and an implement of the integral type indicated generallyat 2. The tractor I is of the usual construction, comprising frame means3, a rear axle housing 4 having lateral extensions or quills 5 and 6 inwhich drive axles 'I and 8 are, journaled for rotation. Rear drivewheels 9 and I0 are xed to the axle shafts 'I and S, respectively. InFigure 2, the near rear wheel has been removed in order to show theother `parts of the machine more clearly. A seat I2 forms the operatorsstation on the tractor when operating the outt.

The implementI 2 as disclosed, is a bedder or middlebreaker and includesa, frame made up of two generally longitudinally extending bars I5 andI8 connected at their rear ends by plates I'I to a transverse frame barI8 which extends laterally outwardly at each side of the tractor andrearwardly of the wheels 9 and IIl, the frame bars I5 and IE having therequisite length to accommodate this arrangement. .The frame bars I5 andIS are formed at their forward ends with convergent sections I5a and I6awhich are connected at 2l to a hitch connection of any suitableconstruction, as indicated at 22. Preferably, however, the hitchconnection 22 is of the type which accommodates some generallylongitudinal shifting movement of the associatedimplement frame, whichmay be due to a yielding of the hitch under excessive draft loads or maybe provided for adjustment purposes to dispose the tools or otheroperating means in different positions f relative to the tractor. Theimplement 2 includes a plurality of tools or furrow openers in the formof lister bottoms 25. In the machine illustrated there are four bottomsxed to the transverse implement frame bar I8, but only the two centralbottoms have been shown in the drawings (Figures 1 and 3'). The twoouter tools are disposed outwardly beyond the reartractor wheels 9 andI0 and are of substantially the same construction as the two toolsshown. Each bottom 25 is fixed to a standard 26 which is pivoted at 21to a bracket 28 that is fxedly clampedf'to the bar I8. To this end, eachbracket 28 has a cap 23, and the two are bolted together so as to xedlysecure the associated bottom to the frame bar I8. Since the latter is ofuniform cross sec` tion, the lateral spacing between the several tools25 may be varied as desired to accommodate different row spacing. Afriction clamp 3l (Figure 2) xedly secures the standard 26 to theassociated bracket, as will be readily understood. As shown in Figure 2,the beams I5 and I6 are formed with a section 33 which is bent so as toclear the tractor axle housing, and then the beams are extended upwardlyand rearwardly to their points of connection with the transverse framebar I8. `The implement frame is thus capable of vertical floatingmovement relativeto the tractor about its drive connection 2I therewith.At each laterally outer end, Aor adjacent thereto. of the transverseframe bar I8, thereV is connected a gauge wheel 35 which is mounted onthe forward end of a crank axle 36 (Figure 2), the rear end of which ispivoted to a bracket 3'! that is iixed to the frame .bar I8 in anyVsuitable manner. If desired, the gauge wheels 35 and associated partsmay be connected to the frame bar I8 inside of the laterally cuterbottoms (not shown) and outside the inner bottoms 25, shown in Figure 1,andthe position of each gauge wheel tudinal frame beams I5 and I6.

is controlled by a lever 38 xed at its lower end to a rock shaft 39(Figure 2) which is mounted for rocking movement at its inner end in abearing support or other means carried by the associated connectingplate I'I. Each lever 38 is provided with suitable detent mechanism 42cooperating with a sector 43 xed to the associated plate II or theimplement frame in any suitable manner, such as a bolt 45 (Figure 2) andan upper strap or bracket 46. The bolts45 are also utilized to secure across brace 48 (Figure 1) to the longi- If desired, the frame may alsobe reenforced by diagonal braces 5I and 52.

The outerl end of each of the rock shafts 33 is operatively connected toswing the associated gauge wheel 35 and crank axle 36 for the purpose ofdetermining the operating position of the tool means 25. The particularmanner in swinging the crank axles 36 and associated gauge wheels 35 bythev rock shafts 39 and hand levers 38 does not per se form a part ofthe presentinvention; It will thereforebe su'lcient to note that eachhand lever 38 controls a gauge wheel and when locked to its associatedsector each hand lever 38 fixes the associated gauge wheel againstmovement relative to vthe implement frame, whereby the' operatingposition of the tool means is determined. Furthermore, the gauge wheels'and associated parts-may be lifted with the tools out of operatingposition and into a transport position whenever the implement frame israised. f

As best indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the implement frame 2 is raisedandlowered under the control of power lift mechanism carried by thetractor :and indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral V(i0.Thepower lift mechanism per se is of conventional construction, derivingpower for its operation from the tractor motor and including atransversely disposed rock `shaft B2 mounted for rocking movement in theupper portion of a power lift casing 63 and extending laterallyoutwardly therefrom at each end, -an arm 64 being fixed to each end ofthe power li-ft shaft 82. A second arm 65 is pivoted to each arm' 64 andat its outer end ispi-voted, as at 66, to a generally verticallyextending link S'I which at its lower end is pivoted to the associatedbeam, I5 or I6, by a bracket 68 (Figure 1). Each pair of theinterconnected arms64 and 65 are capable of relative movement one withrespect to the other so as to permit the implement to havethe verticalfloating movement, as described above, when in operation. However, stopmeans 'III is carried by one of the arms soA as to-engage the otherwhereby when the power lift shaft 62 is rocked, both arms swing togetheras a single arm to raise the associated portion of the implement.

Normally, when the outt is in operation, the two lifting arms E4 and B5are capable of relative movement, asv shown in FlgurefZ. whereby theimplement is entirely independent of the tractor, so far as its positionis concerned. the implement working at the depth'determined by thesetting of the two lever-controlled gauge wheels; whereby the implementmay conform to all ir` regularities in the ground surface encounteredduringy operation, yet uniformity of work is insured. When in operation,Vespecially when-four bottoms are utilized, together with planting unitsdescribed below, auxiliary springs 'II are provided. Each Spring 'II isadjustably connected at its upper end by a crank l2 to the associatedpower lift .arm 64, and the lower end ofeach spring-'1I aeeafars isconnected Yby a bracket 13 to the associated implement beam. Theseauxiliary springs `terlidto` plowing out stalkjro'ws, cleaning middles,sw'eeping beds, and many other operations. Further, an implement 'oftthis krnd is adapted 'to receive planting equipment 'for planting onfthe beds or'inv the trenches between the beds.

The planting equipment and the mechanism Y for driving the same and'performing other operations in conjunction therewith will now bedescribed..

.A planting unit is preferably associated with each of the furrowopeners 2.5, and each planting unit is indicated in its entirety by thereference numeral 80. Itwill be understood, also, thata planting unit isassociated with each of the outer furrow openers (not sh'ownl Eachplanting unit 80 consists of a s'eedcanBl 'supported upon a baise orframe 82, which, in turn, .is supported' by means of a bracket 8`3.onthe transverse frame bar I8, being preferably secured to the 'cap 28 atthe upper end of the associated bracket 28.. The base 82 mechanism whichis driven by l'a transverse seedincludes conventional seed `selecting ling shaft 85, which operates to select and deliver seed through a spout86 into the funnel-shaped upper end 81 v'of aseed tube '88. best shownin Figures l and 3,' the delivery :of the seed from each of the seed`selecting mechanisms is performed Within thefconvenient view 0f theoperator. 'I'hat is to say-Q the seed selecting mechanism and the drivetherefor of each planting unit' 80 is so arranged that the mechanismd'elivers'f `seed at the side, rather than at the back as i, the usualconstruction, of the seed can and fuher, as will be noted from Figure 1,the units are so aranged that the-seed tubes and seed-receivingfunnels=81 for the right-hand units are arranged at the left 4side ofthe associated seed cansand that the seed tubes and associated funnelsfor the left-hand units are disposed at the right -side of theassociated seed `cans and that each funnel extends out from underneaththe bottom of the associated seed Vcan so that -operator sitting on theseat |2 can look 'directly down into either funnel 81, and hence hasWith-n his View the delivery of seed by allof the seeding mechanisms.

Each seed can and associated parts is readily detached from thesiipporting frame bar/I8, or from the supporting brackets 83, either bydis-- connecting the brackets from the caps 29, or by disconnecting theseed cans from the brackets 83, Whichever 'is the most convenient. Theseed tubes 88 are detachable with the associated seeding units.

The seeding shaft y85 of each kseeding unit 80 forms a more or lesspermanent part thereof and is disposed longitudinally of the transverseframe bar |8, as shown in Figures l and 3. The several seeding shafts 85are adapted to be connected together by means especially adapted, first,to facilitate connecting the seeding shafts together, whether one, two,three, four or even more units are mounted -on the saine implement, andsecond, to facilitate the ready and convenient attachment andldetachment of means for driving all of the seeding units from thetractor. To 'this end each.

in .any `one of various axial positions to the asso@V ciated member `SNLThe laterally outer ends "of: the shaft members 32| may be connecteddirectly to the corresponding member 9| of the outside unit associatedtherewith, or the member 94 may be connected thereto Athrough anotheraxially adinstable sleeve 93, if desired.

According to the principles of the present invention the means fordriving the several 'seeding shafts 65 comprises 'detachable connectionsdriven from one of the tractor Wheels, for some other part on thetractor, and a 'centrally locatedl shaft section |0| which at itslaterally ends is connected `to telescopic sleeves 93a of subst/amtially 'the same construction as but somewhat shorter 'than the Isleeves93 described above.. .A sprocket |83 vis xcd to the-central portion ofthe' shaft section -IBI vand receives a drivingy chain |04 which istrained around a sprocket |05 car4 ried at lone end of a short shaft |08that is -'supeported for 'rotation in a sleeve |01, one end of which isfixed to an arm |08. arm 08 opposite the shaft receiving sleeve |01 isfixed toa short shaft I I3 which is mounted for rocking movement in abracket 2| which is fixedly Isecured to the `left-hand axle housing 5by' means which will be described below. Journaled for rotation fon theshaft I0 is fa sleeve ||5 that carries two sprockets H6 'and H1. Thesprocket ||6 receives a chain |28 which 'at its upper end is trainedaround a sprocket 12| that is fixed to the shaft |06 upon which thesprocket 1| 65 is fixed. The sprocket H1 receives a chain |22 which atits inner `or forward end 'is trained around av the shaft last.mentioned and also the bracket'- that carries the shaft H0.l

Referring now to Figure 4, the left-hand axle housing '5 is providedwith lugs |26 which are apertured to 'receive 'attaching studs |21,being standard equipment foi' the tractor porting bracket |30isp'rovided with extensions |3| and |32 each of which is provided Withakey-hole slot |33 and an open slot |34 which engage the studs |21,whereby when the latter are tightened, the bracket |30- is rmly xed tothe tractor,.but when the studs |21 are loosened, the bracket |30 may bereadily detached from the tractor merely by disengaging the sam-e fromthe loosened studs. The bracket |30 includes 'a sleeve section |36 inwhich a shaft |31 is jour-'-y Each sleeve 93 carries one- `The end 'ofthe This portion of the shaft |31 is reL- memberfl 48-which is fixed tothe inner end of the shaft |31-in any suitablemanner. The hub Vv|44 andthe member |46, together with the springl |'4.|, 'constitutes a slip'clutch, as will be readily understood. The sprocket |23 drives the chain|22, and the' latter drives the chain |20 through the two sprockets ||6and ||1 and the sleeve ||5 to which they are fixed. The chain |20 drivesthe chain |04 through the sprockets |05 and l2 I, and the chain |04drives the seeding shaft 'driving section |I. .The arm |08, to which thesleeve |01 receiving the short shaft |06 is fixed, is mounted forrocking movement in a generally longitudinal direction by virtue of itspivotal support on the rear end of the bracket The several chains andassociated sprockets therefore form articulated means for driving theseeding units, which means accommodates the fore and aft movement of theimplement relative to the tractor, which as described above, ariseseither by virtue of the yielding hitch or by virtue of longitudinaladjustment at the point of hitch. .The arm |08, carrying the shaft |06and the associated sprockets and |2|, `is connectedwith the shaftsection |0| by means vof an adjustable link |49 which consists of twosections |5| and .|52 adjustably secured together by bolts |53. Theupper end of the upper link section |5| is pivoted for movement aboutthe axis of the shaft |06, and the lower end of the lower linkl section|52 is connected for pivotal movement about the axis of the shaftsection |0I. The adjustmentprovided by the two link sections and theconnecting bolts |53 therefore permit adjusting the chain |04 as may berequired, yet theL link A|49 as a whole swings the arm |08 so that thetwo articulated driving chain sections |'2'0 and. |04 accommodate anylongitudinal movement of the implement frame relative to thev tractor.They also accommodate vertical movement of the frame relative tothe-tractor as well as any lateral tilting. Inthis respect, theconnection of the chain |04 to the central portion of the implementmeans facilitates' the driving connections accommodating relativemovement in a lateral direction between the implement and the tractor. Y

For driving the shaft |31 that is supported for rotation on the tractorby the bracket |30, the driving axle 1 at the left side of the tractorin the axle housing 5 is provided with a driving sprocket |55. This partis preferably made of twoA mating sections, whereby the sprocket' may be*mounted on the driving axle 1 without removing Vthe rear 'wheel 9.' Thebracket |30 is Aar-v ranged to support the shaft |31 with its outer end:disposed adjacent the driving sprocket '|55. .Ai roller'pinio'n |51 ismounted for rotation on the outer end of the shaft |31 and at itslaterally outer face is provided with clutch teeth |58 that. are adapted'to mesh with similar Vclutch teeth formed on a clutch member|59pi`nned, .as at |6|,'to the-outermost end of the shaft |31. Thus,when the roller pinion |51 is engaged with the clu-tch member "|59, andwhen the bracket |30 is'xed to the axlehousing so as to hold'the shaft|31 with the roller'pinion 51 in engagementr with the driving sprocket`gear |55, the drive is transmitted from the driving axle 1 through theAroller pinion |51 and the shaft |31 to the pinion |23, and from therethe drive is transmitted through the driving chains |22, |20, and |04 tothe shaft section |0|.that drives the various seeding units.

i For moving the clutch means |58, |59 into and tilting out ofengagement, a' rodmember-I 85 is mounted forrocking and slidingmovementv in a pair of laterally spaced apart lugs'V |66 andv |61,preferably formed integrally with the vbracket |30; The lug |66isprovided with a cam ange |63l with which the bent end |1| oftherod--member cooperates. The outer end of the'rod |65 receives acollar |14 which is xed thereto by a set screw |15, andthe collar |14 isdisposed in a slot |16 formed in a clutch' shifting member |11. Thelatter is provided with adepending fork |18 which is received inazgroove |19 formed in av laterally inwardly vextending flange. section8| formed on or carried by the roller pinion |51. The latter isformed'with a pair oftransversely spacediianges |83 which are aperturedto receive pins |84 upon which rollers|85 `are mounted. 'The' spacingbetween the anges |83 is sufcient to permit "the roller pinion |51 toshift axially relative to the sprocket gear member |55 'that is fixed tothe driving Aaxle 1, and as bestshown in Figureeythe extended hubsection |8| of the roller pinion |51 is formed to telescope with thelaterally outerportion of the bracket |30 in which the shaft |31 isjournaled for rotation. Thus, axial-.shifting movement of the rod |65transversely of the tractor serves to move the roller pinion |51 intoand out of engagement with the clutch member |59 that is fixed to theouter end of the shaft |31. The bent end |1| of the rod |65 is soarranged that when it lies in an upper and'forward position, withrespect to the axis of the rod '|65,'a spring 81 that surrounds theinner end of the rod 65 and bears at one end against the bracket |664and at the' other end againstthe pin |88 carried by the rod.v |65,causes the latter to shift the member |11 andthe rollerpinion |51 into aposition in which the clutch teeth |58 engage the clutch member |59.Thereupon rotation of the' driving a'xle -1 and the sprocket gear member|55 rotates the shaft |31 and the driving connections therefrom to theshaft section |0|. When the end |1| of therod member |15 is rockeddownwardly and forwardly, the cam ange |69 acts against the end 1| tocause the rod member |65 to shift laterally inwardly. This movement actsthrough the fork |18 to move the roller pinion |51 out of engagementwith the clutch member |59, thereby interrupting the drive -from thedriving axle 1 tothe shaft |31, thereby discontinuing the operation ofthe seeding' units. The spring |81 is arranged so that it automaticallyreturns the rodV |65 to the position shown in Figure 4. The mem'- ber|65 is automatically operated to disengage the clutch |58, |59 when theimplement is raised, byimeans of an arm |9| (Figure 1) xed to theleft-hand power lift arm 64 in a position to engage the end |1| of therod |65 and force it down over the cam nange |69 when the power liftshaft 62 is operated to raise the implement into its transport position.When the implement is lowered,.the spring |81 returns the rod 65 to theposition shown in Figure 4, thereby reengaging theseeding-drive. The arm|9| is fastened to the Vpower liftarm- 64 by a bolt |92 or othersuitable means.'

In certain farming sections it is the custom to go through the fieldwith the bedder after the crophas been'harvested and plow under thestalks and other 'growth and formin'g new beds. In the following springthe beds are planted. In the latter operation, it has been found thatthe usual covering shovels assoicated with the planter. engage" thestalks and other growth,

aeaaare which were turned. under in. the. previous. bedding operation,and drag them.; to the surface., which .necessitates frequently.stopping the-:outfit to clear out the stalks and. othertrash which tendto accumulate on. the covering shovels, clog them .and prevent-'theirproperA operation. Generally,

the covering shovels o r other covering meansare fixed to thenlantirieuriits, either .rigidly or held shovels are mounted for pivotalmovement and are adapted tobe raised by means accessiblete the. operatoron thetracter seat., so as to clear out.

thelpresent. invention, Ifhave pro- .vided .arrangement wherein. the.vv.Cei/lering 219. serve to. the oever-ing shovels 2.20 and 22| hecoverer '21721 A bolt 2213 01 other able means Conheets the. lower endof. the 2H! te the associated coverer frame 2|2- esleest. Figure 2;.eac-h coverer frame 21.12; arranged to extend. rearwardli7 0f theas: seated seed, boot 22.5 so .that the Covering h -s. are dispersed.rearwardlr of the planter 22e Wir-,i la is iired to thelewer eed 0f theseed. heet the latter. haiesZ ih turn.. fixed f t0 the standard@ .anysuitahle'rrifahher. lThe .accumulated stelles,V tras-h and the likewithout requiring. that the eeeraterstohrtheoutt.- i .Referring new morepartielilarlyto Fie-lires -1 al1-d. 2., it will beV seen that,thepresent invention contemplates a bracket| .ixedlyysecured togeaohofthe furrow 1opener,standarfisin any suit.y ahlemanner,preferably, by being bolted between 4the seed can bracket '83 andthe cap29, as shown Figure 2, Each seeding unit includes a. bracket20l, andeach bracket is provided at its rear end Withfa rock shaft receivingsection` 202 in which a rock shaft 203,v is mounted for rockingmovement. The shaft. receiving sections 202 are open at their upper sideso that the .rock shaft may be .disconnected merely by lifting the` same.away -from the brackets 20|.' VfIoholdl the rock shaft 20.3 inposition, I provide clips 205 which are p iyoted, as at 2015i, tothebr-acket 20| asso-` ciated therewith. By turning the clips 205laterally about the bolt 201i,l it may beswungvover into a positionholding the rock shaft in place or laterally to 'one sidefthereof topermit the removal of the shaft when desired. The rock shaft 203 extendsthe entire width of the implement and is provided with a plurality ofarms 206, there being as many arms as there are planting units 80.Preferably, each arm is xed to the shaft 203 so as to permit lateraladjustment along the shaft, whereby the arms may be spaced according tothe number of planting units. The manner of connecting each arm 206 tothe associated shaft 203 is not specifically illustrated, since any formof connecting means may be utilized as desired. Preferably, however,each arm 205 is fixed to a sleeve that receives the shaft 203, and eachsleeve carries one or more set screws by which the arm may be xed to theshaft 203 to rock therewith. A pair of arms 201 are xed, as by welding,to the shaft 203, and a hand lever 208 is disposed between and xedlysecured to the arms 201, as by bolts 209. If desired, the shaft 203 maybe formed in right and left hand sections, with the arms 201 welded,respectively, to the inner ends of the two shaft sections, in which oasethe bolts 209 securing the arms 201 to the hand lever 208 serve also asmeans connecting the two shaft sections together.

The outer or rear end of each of the arms 206 is connected by a chain orany other suitable means, as indicated at 2|0, with the associatedcovering means. Generally, the covering means usually employed consistsof a coverer frame 2|2, comprising a pair of bars 2I3 and 2|4 pivotallyconnected at their forward ends through the plow bottom standard 2Sassociated therewith, and a cross bar 2|5. Clamps 2|8 and lowererie ofthe seefltabe yit. delivers Seed tothe boot225 which directs-,theseedinto the furrow e bottom, v2 5 associated therewith.i

2 itwill be clear that` when the stalk-'S andati-1er trash. ,that tendste be co1.-

leeted. et the eeveriee shovels 220. and. 22| Heder certain operatingconditions reach the point where the proper Aope ,1 ,ation of thecovering means is. afieeted, all the eeetator hasta do. is to reach backand rock the hand lever 208l forwardly, thus acting through theVvseveral chai-ns. to raise all of the. coveringyshovels out ofengagement. withEA the. ground and. releasing the accumulated stalkstrash 'and the.l like. When. this is done the Ioperator merely'releasesthe hand. lever-arid the.l weight. of the 'Several Cover-l ineuriitseause them to. return to'their operating position. If desired.spring means maybe. pref. videdi for. urginej'the Covering meansdownward# lv into operaties. Psition. Any suitable means may he.provided for limiting' the rearward movement of .the lever 20.8., Itwill. be understood that the 'outer' planting units (not. shown) arealso provided with covering units aildieeriheeted to' be raised, arid.lowered by the rocking of the 'shaft/20.3, iii; substantially the samemanner as described above. irl connection with the'two inner platter'units shown .in Figure 1f- .ig .If-rem the above description it will. beapparent that. thelasrieultural. machine Ihave provided embodiesfeatures whereby it may be readily changed over into a planting outt, orinto a bedder without planting equipment, quite readily. For example,looking at Figure 1, all that it is necessary to do to disconnect thedrive from the gear |55 to the planting units is to disconnect thebracket |30, loosen the set screws 01 connecting the sleeves 93a to theshaft section |0|,r

ing the clips 205 sideways, and then lifting the shaft 203 out of thebrackets 20|. The coverer frames 2|2 may be removed, if desired, bydetaching the pivotal connection at their forward ends, as inconventional practice.

It will also be noted that the drive I have provided, extending from thedriving axle 1 at one side of the tractor over to the central portion ofthe implement operating units, readily accommodates any lateral tiltingof the implement with respect to the tractor without causing excessiverelative movement between the various parts of the drive itself.Furthermore, the driving connections are such that the implement framemaybe shifted longitudinally relative to the tractor, either by virtueof a yielding cushion hitch or by virtue of some adjustment which it maybe desired to make, without affecting the efliciency of the drive. Itmay. also be mentioned that the use of a roller pinion and a particulartype of connection between the power lift ar'm |9| and the clutchthrow-out mechanism are features which are important in this type ofimplement,

in that the mere removal o-f the bracket |30 and associated partseffects a disconnection of the drive and the automatic throw-outmechanism, without requiring that any parts save the bracket beunbolted. 'I'he articulated driving connection also accommodates thefact that the arm |08, supporting a portion of the drive, and the lm-'plement frame rock about different centers.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure inwhichVr the principles of the present invention have been incorporated,it is" to be understood that my invention is' not to'be limited to theparticular details shown and described above, butl that, in fact',widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broaderaspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a tractor having an operators stationthereon, ofa planter including frame means connected with the tractor and having aportion adjacent the operators station on vthetractor, and a plantingunit carriedby said frame portion and having a seed can and a seedreceiving funnel disposed at one side of the seed can and having an openupper end extending out from underneath said can, the walls of saidfunnel flaring outwardly at such an angle that an operator at saidstation may look directly down into said funnel and observe the passageof seed into said funnel.

2. A tractor mounted planter vof the type come prising implement framemeans,"a plantingunit lconnected therewith and including a seed canhaving seed selecting mechanism including a seed discharge spout, and aseed tube having a funnellike member at vits' upper end disposedunderneatli saidspout, said member being'dispo'sed in Cil lov

V321,323,2re

such position relative to said spout and seed can that the upper end ofsaid member extends out `from underneath the bottom of the s eed can and'funnel-like member can be observed from the operators station on thetractor.

' 3. A multi-row planter having an operator station thereon andcomprising frame meansand a plurality of planting units connected withsaid frame means, certain of said units being disposed ofi-said framemeansat one side of the operators station' and other ofksaid plantingunits being disposed 'on said frame means at the other side of saidoperators station, each of said planting units including a seed canhaving seed selecting mechanism' anda seed tube having a seed receivingmember open -atits upper end to receive seed from the associated seedselecting mechanism, each of vsaid members being disposed at thelaterally: inner sideof` the' associated seed canl and arrangedto extendlaterally outwardly beyond the-base of` the seed can and the wallportion ofeachseed receiving member at the side thereof toward saidoperators station extending at such anangle that the lines passingthrough the seed receiving members and into the associated seed tubesextend generally upwardly and laterally inwardly relatively closelyadjacent the operators station inupwardly .convergent relation,converging generally at a Idistanceabove the operators station such thatthe operator at said station can lool; directly downwardly into any ofsaid seed receiving members and observe the manner in which the seed isdelivered to said seed receiving members. 1 WALTER H. SILVER.'-

